A Chiari (pronounced “key-AR-ee”) malformation is when part of the brain extends outside the skull into the spinal canal (the upper part of the spinal cord). Children with milder forms may not have any symptoms, but those with more severe forms may have a wide range of symptoms. A Chiari malformation can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occur over time).
At Nemours, our goals in treating a Chiari malformation are to relieve any symptoms, reduce pressure on the brain, and improve your child’s quality of life.